A long time ago, someone recommended the book ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’ to me. It might have been a friend I studied with in the US, or maybe a high school classmate who worked as a lawyer in New York. I can’t remember exactly, but I bought the book on Amazon and tried reading it a few times, only to give up. Maybe it was the chaotic ramblings of the boy in the beginning that made me think it would continue throughout? Or maybe it was the English. Anyway, I didn’t know the book’s plot and left it forgotten for quite some time. 📚
It’s a novel called ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’
These days, it’s hard to meet someone who likes books. It’s been quite a while since a life unfamiliar with reading became mainstream. Even reading a single page feels overwhelming in this era. But, while having lunch with a colleague, I was introduced to a book. And that book was ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,’ which I had forgotten for so long. That day, on my way home, I stopped by a bookstore and bought the translated version. I just couldn’t ignore a recommendation from a long-lost reading buddy. 📖💭
This novel, the second work of Jonathan Safran Foer, a writer who majored in philosophy and literature, is about a boy named Oskar, a victim of 9/11, and his family. The author uses not just words but also various visual elements to connect with the audience, adding freshness with the synergy of solid writing skills. The detailed emotions and imagination are unique, and the author’s abilities are conveyed to the reader through Oskar’s dialogues. 🎨✨
“I miss Dad a lot. Over.” “Me too. Over.” “I can’t forget for a moment. Over.” “I can’t forget for even a moment. Over.” I couldn’t tell Grandma about the phone call, so I couldn’t explain to her or anyone else how much more I missed Dad. That secret was a hole inside me, sucking up all the happy things.
Oskar lost his father to the 9/11 attacks, leaving him with a huge trauma. He has to live within that trauma for the rest of his life. The author observes 9/11 with a dry perspective, focusing on the people left behind rather than the right or wrong of the event. 🌆💔
I kissed Anna for the last time, saw my parents for the last time, spoke to them for the last time. Why didn’t I learn to treat everything as if it were the last time? The most regretful thing is that I trusted the future too much.
For intelligent beings capable of making value judgments, death is a metaphysical phenomenon that sets humanity apart from other creatures on Earth. Humans are more human-like, more beautiful, and more noble because they are aware of their finite existence. Oskar’s grandfather, like Oskar, lost a loved one in World War II and had to live with that trauma for a lifetime. They move forward one step at a time, healing each other’s wounds while leaving their own behind. 🌍💪
“Of course, but then why is there gravity?” “What do you mean, why is there gravity?” “What’s the reason?” “Who said there has to be a reason?”
The method of healing presented in this novel is through communication and relationships. Meeting more people, talking, depending on each other, helping with their problems, and having them heal our wounds in return. Sometimes, a warm hug offers greater comfort than logical and rational explanations. 🤗❤️
Though it might be a bit lengthy to read in one breath, it’s definitely a warm novel I highly recommend, ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.’
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